Late Mrs Eccles Oldest Business Link

Northern Advocate, 2 September 1947, Page 6

Late Mrs Eccles Oldest Business Link

The death of Mrs Annie Maria Eccles in the Whangarei Hospital on August 28 removed the oldest living link with the business life of the town Mrs Eccles was a true Northland pioneer. Like her kinsfolk of the early days, her life was devoted to hard work. . Mrs Eccles was actively associated with her husband and sons in their business life. When the children were young she saw them safely away each morning and never failed to be at her husband’s shop at 8 a.m. By the time she had returned to her home and completed the house chores, it was nigh midnight. Yet Mrs Eccles lived to be 88 and. throughout her life, hardly knew what it was to be sick.

She was born at Leek. Nottingham. England, and came to New Zealand with her mother, brother and sisters at the age of seven. The family travelled in the sailing vessel Queen of the Deep, and settled in Auckland. As a girl, Mrs Eccles was associated with Green’s drapery establishment and, in her ’teens, married Mr John Eccles and assisted her husband in his Queen Street business. The couple later came North for a fortnight’s holiday at Whangarei. They visualised the business potentialities of the centre and decided to make their home here. That was in 1881 and they set up in business in Walton Street, that being the main thoroughfare of the town in those days.

Later they acquired the property at the corner of James and Cameron Streets, where they erected a twostoreyed wooden building, with living accommodation.

The present building which houses the business of Eccles Brothers was erected between the two great fires 49 years ago. In her younger days Mrs Eccles conducted a fancy goods business. first library She ran Whangarei’s first library in conjunction with her business. Throughout her life, Mrs Ecclcs was an active member of the Methodist Church. In 1913 Mrs Eccles and her husband took a holiday trip to England. France. Holland and Belgium. In the same year the. business was transferred to the four sons, who had worked with their parents after leaving school. lyirs Eccles took a keen and active interest in the business till 1930, when she gave up such an active life and enjoyed the comfort of her Bank Street home. She had been in business in Whangarei just 40 years. Mr Eccles predeceased his wife in 1930. Two of the four sons are living. They are Messrs Frank Marwood Eccles and Herbert Sydney Eccles, of Whangarei. Mr C. J. Eccles died in 1527 and Mr A. L. Eccles died seven months ago.

There are three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The interment took place at the Manna Cemetery on Saturday. The Rev. George Brown conducted the last rites before a representative attendance of relatives and friends. Mrs Mary A. Dent Mrs Mary Ann Dent, who died at her heme, Kara, was born at Kamo Springs Flat on October 1, 1867. Her parents were Mr and Mrs John B. Dinniss. She was educated at Kamo School, and for several years was employed by the late Dr Sissons. She related anecdotes of having to hold patients’ heads while tonsils or teeth were removed with anaesthetics. In 1889 she married Mr William John Dent, of Kaitara (now known as Karat, second son of one of the pioneer settlers of the district. They settled at Kaitara, where practically all their married life was spent. Mrs Dent was active and alert right up to her last illness. She knitted a number of scarves for lepers; one was left unfinished at the time of her death. Mrs Dent remembered when Whangarei (about nine miles away.\ was a day’s journey by dray or wagon through mud axle-deep; men got out and pushed on the hills.

Pre-deceased by her husband 15 years ago, she is survived by seven children: Helen (Mrs W. Nelson, Te Aroha), Myria (Mrs V. Kokich, Onerahi Road), Annie (Mrs H. Stewart, Cnerahi), William (Onerahi), Mervyn (Tauranga), Edward and Clive (Kara). Her youngest son (Leonard) died in infancy in 1912. There are 24 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren. A largely attended funeral took place on Saturday, the interment being at Maunu Cemetery, where Mr A. N'obes conducted a service at the graveside.

Indoor Basketball The Whangarei Indoor Basketball League last night entertained visitors from Dargaville and the newly-form-ed Onerahi club. Most exciting match of the evening was that between the Whangarei and Dargaville ladies’ B teams. The score was 16-all at the call of time and there was no addition in the extra two minutes. A second spell of two minutes was played and Whangarei notched three goals to win 22 —16. In the other women’s games, Whangarei A beat Dargaville A 26 —13 and Onerehi beat Dargaville C B—4. In the men’s rep. match. Whangarei A beat Dargaville A 33 —5. The final of the Whangarei club championship was won by Central A. who beat Panthers, 9—7. Visitors Staying At' Whangarei Hotels Guests booked in at the Whangarei hotels include: _ _ SETTLERS.—Messrs G. T. Allan, T. S. Smyth, H. S. Rose, G. Richards, L. M. Folev. E. Chiplin, D. C. Nott, Mr and Mrs P. L. McKay. Mr and Mrs R. D. Thompson, Mr and Mrs J. C. Abraham (Auckland); Messrs G. Milne (Wellington); P. J. McVerry (Matamata); C. Ludbrook (Ohaeawai). , . _ WHANGAREI—Messrs H. Morton. R. Lister, A. C. Martin, W. M. Green. T. Johnston. L. Movie, C. D. Stotter, A. F. L. Ashdowne, C. Pilgrim, Miss A. Hepburn, Miss G. R. Grnv (Auckland); Mr and Mrs Hallett (New Plymouth); Messrs J. Leach (Waikiekie); R. J. Moffat (Wnrkworth). COMMERCIAL.—Messrs M. Slines. E H. Burton, L. Thomas, C. S. White. P. R. Pike, A. S. Jantke, A. C. Oliver. G. J. Brown, E. V. Cole. T. H. Collett. Mrs E. M. Graaam, Mr and Mrs J. B. Rowe (Auckland): Mr L. J. Brake (Waipu); Mr and Mis King (Whakapara).'